ABC Plans an Aggressive Programming Push This Fall

[Zoneboy]

PASADENA, Calif. — You can't accuse ABC of playing it safe.

The network is launching seven series early this fall, including four family comedies back-to-back Wednesdays. (An eighth, sci-fi remake V, is due Nov. 3). That compares with three or fewer newcomers on each of its major rivals.


Its two biggest pushes are sitcom Modern Family, which has gained early buzz, and Flash Forward, a drama about the aftereffects of a freaky incident in which the population blacks out for a few minutes and sees visions about their futures.

At a time when networks are cutting back, ABC is aggressive, even though past such efforts have not always yielded fruit. The network finished the September-May broadcast season in third place and saw ratings slip 3%, though ratings for Dancing With the Stars, The Bachelor and college football rose.


"We have to remain ambitious; we've only succeeded when we've ... taken chances," ABC Entertainment Group chief Steve McPherson says, citing the twin-hit 2004 season of Lostand Desperate Housewives. Even with cost constraints, "there are certain shows like Flash Forward that absolutely demand cinematic production values."

After a number of failures, including all the strike-shortened series the network relaunched last fall, ABC also had more slots to fill. Though the slate presents a marketing challenge, "we chose to be aggressive rather than being satisfied bringing back shows with marginal ratings," says scheduling chief Jeff Bader. (Some of those, such as sitcom Better Off Ted, are coming back anyway.) "The risk of launching seven new shows is worth the potential upside."

With Jay Leno's weeknight move to NBC's prime-time lineup, ABC, like CBS, expects an easier time winning drama-hungry viewers at 10 ET/PT. Two of the new series, The Forgotten, a Jerry Bruckheimer crime drama, and Eastwick, a frothy spin on The Witches of Eastwick, will air at that hour. "There's opportunity for us at 10 no matter how Leno does," McPherson says.

ABC also has the biggest stable of TV stars. New shows are led by Kelsey Grammer, Courteney Cox, Patricia Heaton, Christian Slater, Rebecca Romijn and — for the Lost crowd —V's Elizabeth Mitchell.

And it's looking for another: McPherson says he'd "absolutely" want Paula Abdul for Dancing and said he called his "old friend" after the judge bowed out of American Idolin a salary dispute.

"I was a little stunned by the decision," he says. "We would love to have her on Dancing," either as a contestant or judge. "There's a sensitivity and an emotion to her that balances out Idol, and we'd love to get a piece of that.


http://www.usatoday.com/life/televis...schedule_N.htm

[yankeesrj12]

New shows are led by Kelsey Grammer, Courteney Cox, Patricia Heaton, Christian Slater, Rebecca Romijn and — for the Lost crowd —V's Elizabeth Mitchell.

Let's go over their last shows.

Kelsey Grammer - Back to You - Cancelled
Courteney Cox - Dirt - Cancelled
Patricia Heaton - Back to You - Cancelled
Christian Slater - My Own Worst Enemy - Cancelled

Large names don't guarantee a success.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by yankeesrj12

Let's go over their last shows.

Kelsey Grammer - Back to You - Cancelled
Courteney Cox - Dirt - Cancelled
Patricia Heaton - Back to You - Cancelled
Christian Slater - My Own Worst Enemy - Cancelled

Large names don't guarantee a success.

No but they usually at least get a look. The rest depends on if the show is any good or in BTY's case whether the network is behind you or not and will give you a chance.